Fender Precision Bass comparison USA vs MIM vs JAPAN 

That USA 77 is killer. Absolutely killer.

I'm loving the 'bite' in that 1977 USA tone.

Man, that USA ‘77 is an absolute monster. The Japanese model is great too, but I feel like the ‘77 would easily become a Swiss Army Knife bass

Not a bass player but damn if this isn't the best a-b-c comparison ever.

That Japan 1995 one sounds mellow, but light. Interesting sound indeed. All of the basses sound great, though.

The USA '77 sounds amazing ! The Japanese model sounds pretty good too ! I can't hear a big difference between the Mex and the USA '98, the big difference must be the feel of the instrument I think !

Holy shit the '77 got this

The USA 77 sounds most aggressive and bright. I don't know... It may be a bit over the top. But would definitely be the best choice for a punk or metal band.

What a great video! There's an actual "flow" to it, as if it were just being played on one bass with a subtle evolution to the riff from beginning to end. Nice job, guitarbank!

At this point I don't even give a shit about the comparison, I'm just here for the awesome basslines!

Alot of people have sided with the '77 US model, but i think that the '95 Japanese model has more of the 'Classic P-Bass' tone because of the bottom end while still having that punchiness. But yea, that 77 is rockin'.

I now own the 77... it got here today from russia and i have to say it is INCREDIBLE

By far, the best comparison I saw. And the 77' sound sick!

MIJ (Just for my own reference) 0:36 - MIJ Tone 100% 1:11 - MIJ Tone 50% 1:46 - MIJ Tone Off 2:22 - MIJ w/pick Tone 100% 2:57 - MIJ w/pick Tone 50% 3:32 - MIJ w/pick Tone Off 4:08 - MIJ Slap Tone 100% 4:43 - MIJ Slap Tone 50% 5:18 - MIJ Slap Tone Off

Best comparison video I have come across! Very well done.

Very well done video comparison. Playing basically the same lines all the through and seamlessly edited to move from each Bass to the next. Makes it super easy to hear the tonal differences. If only all RU-vid video shootouts were done in a similar manner!

i'm just gonna say it. this is the best video on youtube. period. well done.

I like the US '98. Nice balanced tone. I'd go with the japanese second.

This is a great comparison video, no endless talking about all of the gear, just playing. Thanks!

My favourite, favourite on RU-vid... Great comparison and fantastic playing!

the 77 and the japan models sound awesome

they all sounded fantastic. the top-end of the 77 maple was luxurious, but i liked the beefiness of the MIM. a proper set-up, and a little eq, at a 3rd of the price, makes it a GREAT VALUE.

Best side-by-side comparison I've seen in a long while.

This is how ALL comparison demos ought to be. Way to go, guitarbank! Personally, I preferred the '98 USA P bass.

Fantastic playing! A great way to demonstrate the different nuances of these basses. Well done. USA 77 definitely stands out from the others due to the different construction. Maple fingerboard makes a difference. USA 77 was punchier and more aggressive. Mexico version held up very well. Japan was a solid all-rounder. If I had to pick, I'd go with USA 77. Second choice would be the Japanese one. More demos please!

The USA 77 and Japan 95 are probably the ones that I like the most. The 77 has such a unique aggressive nature and the 95 has such a balanced sound and beautiful bottom end. P.S. Special shout-out to the USA 98s' beautiful color theme.

Great job making this video. Now I understand way more the particular qualities of each wood combination. Thanks.

This was awesome and amazing! Thanks for the upload and sound examples! Seeing all these comments and below really help too.

This vid is good AF! Excellent playing, production and basses. They all sound great, but the USA '98 is my fav for having the bottom, punch and top. The '77 was a bit too trebly for me, and I believe that is because of the electronics, NOT the fingerboard, as many have stated here. I switched from a maple to a rosewood fingerboard on my '17 Am Pro with no noticeable difference in tone. That being said, they're ALL GOOD! Thanks for posting!

Whooaaaaa that 77 has seasoned into full prime! That bass sounds so rich!

That was some of the best pick playing I've seen in a while!

Thanks for that awesome demo. It seems you can't go wrong with any of these basses.

The picked riff is killer on the 77'...The MIM seems too flat, but on a budget, you could upgrade the electronics. It is amazing how each precision has its own subtle voice. This is a top notch demo for comparative purposes and aggressive playing! Exactly how I like to play my bass!

i cant believe the old mexican p-bass sounds so much better than my standard 2012

Thank you for making this! the '77 with maple sounds so good.

Great comparison video. Super job 👍👍👍

Love what you do man, I'm usually fond of Japan's stuff from Fender but on this vid the mexican and the 77' were the killers imo. Keep up the good work!

Awesome comparison! Thank you for putting together such a great presentation. IMHO the '96 MIM and '98 USA were very similar. Very impressed by the brightness of the '77 ash/maple (perhaps the best mojo out of the bunch). And, the '95 MIJ somehow sounded the muddiest, and slightly darker.

I must say the best comparison video I have seen great job.

Another great comparison guitarbank! '77 hands down but was surprised by the Mex. Big low end but also balanced through the whole range.

Awesome comparison.... The 77 is cool but would get old --- after many listenings, the Japan just has a tone that is great and would fit in nicely not overtake every other instrument - has the best low end and seems like it wants to "go somewhere' the MIM and USA just die after the note is played and with the JAP it seems like there is more there.

mexican, cheapest choice, great sound

Amazing comparison video. Love the playing too

I come back to this video every couple of months just for the great playing.

Oh man, that’s great playing! They all sound amazing in their own way. But for all around, I gotta give it to the American. The 77 was an odd ball treble monster. I own an aerodyne MIJ, and love it

Like the 77 and the Japan one. The Japanese one is great for playing in a band context but the 77 is great for being front and center.

Great vid! Thanks for showing the different variations of playing and tones. They’re all great, depends on what you want. Like most here, I think the ‘77 is killer.

What was awesome to hear and see , they all sound cool in there own beautiful way. Great video now I want a bass 😎

well they all have one thing in common i want them

That 77 is winning for me big time, WOW!!! What's everyone else's preference?

Holy sheeeeed! They all sound fantastic and even though I have lots of Fender guitars and a Peavy bass I’d love a few Fender P basses, one with maple board, one rosewood and a fretless.

Thank you so much. This is a really demo of the difference. Never seen such a helpful Vid.

USA 77 sounds sexy ... I could imagine my self rocking out on it at a gig ... I'd have to have a mirror pick guard on it though ....

that '77 tone actually makes me so happy

Awesome job. The phrase actions speak louder than words is definitely made clear in this video. By far the best video for anyone who is considering buying a p-bass. Again. GREAT job. 70s did have a great tone though.

Great playing! Love the groove!

I loved the japanese one! The USA and Mexican were almost identical and the 77' one has too much top end bite for me, perhaps with a set of flats would be better. Very nice demo, with great playing!

Great playing.

THIS is how you make a bass comparison video ! Great!

This is such a great demo, thanks! And it's weird, but for my ears, I would take the MIM for fingerstyle. But different strings, different song, different guitars from the same batches and that could all change.

Good demo! Fender's quality control has been all over the place through the years. I have a 2002 MIM that blows away my 2009 USA. You never know. You just have to play them and ignore what the headstock says. For the price difference, a US standard should be able to drive you to the gig and valet park your car for you. BTW, that '77 sounds great. How much did it go for?

They all sound amazing, but there's something special about the '77.

Fantastic demo!! Thank you ;-)

They all sound fantastic!! To me the '98 US is the flawless one. Perfect balance between the strings and down the whole neck. So much smooth and hot harmonics singing the bassline... 😍

USA 1997 just wow! so rich sound

O Japan 95 é a minha escolha, o 77 tem o som mais aberto o que é muito bonito, mas para mim seria uma proposta muito específica já que os meus precisions preferidos são os dos anos 60's que possuem um som bem mais fechado.

Amazing video! I love the tone of the US 1977 model :D

Beautiful playing man. Makes me wanna get up and dance.

USA 1977, Japan 1995, USA 1998 , MIM 1996, in that order.

USA '77 - Juicy AF! Love it.

Amazing comparative. Tks a lot !

I love the depth of the P basses vs. the J. PJ config & especially PH is the best pup config.

Japan's the best for my ear

USA 1977 mesmo com o tone off continua roncando feito louco isto e lindo demais, 🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷

Awesome playing and tones!

in 5050 on the MIJ 95 and the awesome bite that 77 has - love the maple fret board 'liveness' on it

1. MIM / MIA 98 - sounds like a real Precision. With more expensive pickup MIM would sound huge. 2) Japan 3) MIA 77 - Sounds interesting - but almost doesnt matter if you turn the tone knob left and right, still the same bright clanky sound.

Anybody else noticed the harmonic at around 4:15?

Tks man!!! I bought a 77 and the tone is the same to the video

Great demonstration, fantastic playing! I have an American p, maple neck and alder body. I wonder if you ever make another video, could you compare it to an American p with the same neck against the ash body? Kind of a head to head!

Mexico 1996 fits with my style.

The Doo-doo colored '77 win, hands down. Loved the detail in the highs, yum!

No wonder those vintage p basses are so much more expensive, the difference is clear in this video, thank you for posting.

This guy always plays such amazing lines that get stuck in my head! Gotta echo the bother comments, that '77 is an absolute monster, especially when the pick riff kicks in, even with the tone right down it's punching through!

I have a a Japan P with maple fretboard. Sounds just like the U.S. 77. Fretboard material makes a difference.

That '77 is an absolute beast!

Every video I see with a ‘77 or ‘78 P Bass, I love the tone! I have to pick one up some day.

Best comparison video ever

Ash Body it is! USA 77

What exactly string did you used for this comparsion? Fender 7250M? Anyway great tone of MIM.

The 1977 got that crispy clean bite to it! even with the tone rolled down

Are those your basses?? Must say, i love your riffs all the more!! @guitarbank

1977 is the best one to me !

why does the mexican made sounds so good? :P

Good riffage dude, and that 1977... good feels!

Very well done video of A/B/C/D now, do the Jazz bass comparo please......

Парни, в моём распоряжении PB Amstandard 1999. В отношение выложенного теста мнение такое: страна происхождения, год выпуска, материал деки, накладки грифа имеет влияние на звучание. Однако здесь я (и вы) конкретно услышал не это! Первое - разные датчики, второе - разные струны, третье - потенциометры и конденсаторы на регулировку тона тоже разные. Вот это и есть разница.

The mids on the ‘77 are insane

I have my opinion on which sounds best, but I just wanted to compliment your playing. Just badass lines. Thank you.

Now that's a comparison vid. Finally someone who plays the instruments instead of just chatting about it.